Thread: Irrigation pro subbing out irrigation.

Can someone explain to me why a irrigation company subs out irrigation? Just wondering did a very stupid water damage cleanup job that we found out was caused by the irrigation line open ended INTO a corner of two stores. His excuse was its impossible to watch all his subs. I just dont get how even in a large job like a mall you need to sub out three stoned dudes and a ditchwitch.

I sub out stuff sometimes. I also do landscaping and sometimes a landscaping job will bring in more $$$ so if I get a irrigation call when I am too busy I sub it out to a friend.

The difference is before ANYTHING is covered I come by and do an inspection. Even though he is a good friend, I have to keep the reputation of my business up, and I keep a close eye on things that could cost me money.

To answer your question "why we would sub it out"-

The most dangerous thing in landscaping and irrigation is to grow too fast. I keep as many employees as I can keep a close eye on and when the work load gets too much for that number of guys, I go to my sub list.

There is nothing like putting money in the bank when all you did was show up and check to make sure it was up to spec.

That guy ought to be hung by his short hairs, he broke the cardinal rule of being a contractor: "You are responsible for everything that happens on your watch, including liability."

This covers it all. I try as hard as possible to stay only residential, but I do some commercial work as well. The job I did last week the general contractor was leaning over my shoulder the whole time. He wanted to make sure I was doing the work correctly. THAT is his job.

There is nothing like putting money in the bank when all you did was show up and check to make sure it was up to spec.

True that. Explaining to subs and their workers HOW it should be done without them copping a attitude and sabotaging the site is a art that takes some time. One of my leads got into it with the landscapers once and they, knowing enough about irrigation and pissed off at his "ordering them around" (they were my subs) cut a common and inserted the wires back into the king blue. I came unglued once I found the dastardly deed (my lead had no clue what happened) and had a very heated talk with the landscape owner. I reamed both my guy and the landscapers and sat my guy down and explained some of the facts of life concerning "gentle" contracting.